Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations – UPSC Prelims PYQs

21 questions · 1995–2025 · answers as per the UPSC key

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UPSC 2025 · Q53 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

With reference to India, consider the following : I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils

How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
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Answer: (a) Only one
UPSC 2025 · Q56 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Consider the following statements :

With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule I. the State Government loses its executive power in such areas and a local body assumes total administration II. the Union Government can take over the total administration of such areas under certain circumstances on the recommendations of the Governor

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
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Answer: (d) Neither I nor II
UPSC 2024 · Q75 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India ?

(a) Inter-State trade and commerce is a State subject under the State List.
(b) Inter-State migration is a State subject under the State List.
(c) Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
(d) Corporation tax is a State subject under the State List.
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Answer: (c) Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
UPSC 2023 · Q32 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.

Statement-II : In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
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Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
UPSC 2023 · Q39 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements :

  1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President.
  2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block.
  3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
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Answer: (b) Only two
UPSC 2022 · Q73 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it ?

(a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
(b) This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
(c) This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
(d) The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
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Answer: (a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
UPSC 2021 · Q86 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

(a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
(b) The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
(c) The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
(d) The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.
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Answer: (a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
UPSC 2019 · Q50 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

(a) Third Schedule
(b) Fifth Schedule
(c) Ninth Schedule
(d) Twelfth Schedule
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Answer: (b) Fifth Schedule
UPSC 2017 · Q100 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism ?

(a) There is an independent judiciary in India.
(b) Powers have been clearly divided between the Centre and the States.
(c) The federating units have been given unequal representation in the Rajya Sabha.
(d) It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.
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Answer: (d) It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.
UPSC 2016 · Q95 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the

(a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
(b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership
(c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
(d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
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Answer: (d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
UPSC 2015 · Q59 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to

(a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
(b) determine the boundaries between States
(c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
(d) protect the interests of all the border States
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Answer: (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
UPSC 2012 · Q83 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the

(a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
(b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
(d) Indian Independence Act, 1947
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Answer: (c) Government of India Act, 1935
UPSC 2008 · Q138 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas in several States?

(a) Third
(b) Fifth
(c) Seventh
(d) Ninth
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Answer: (b) Fifth
UPSC 2007 · Q44 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the formation of the following as full States of the Indian Union?

(a) Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh – Nagaland – Haryana
(b) Nagaland – Haryana – Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Sikkim – Haryana – Nagaland – Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Nagaland – Arunachal Pradesh – Sikkim – Haryana
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Answer: (b) Nagaland – Haryana – Sikkim – Arunachal Pradesh
UPSC 2006 · Q7 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following subjects is under the Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India?

(a) Regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields
(b) Agriculture
(c) Fisheries
(d) Public health
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Answer: (a) Regulation of labour and safety in mines and oilfields
UPSC 2005 · Q50 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Consider the following statements:

  1. Articles 371A to 371I were inserted in the Constitution of India to meet regional demands of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa.
  2. Constitution of India and the United States of America can envisage a dual policy (the Union and the States) but a single citizenship.
  3. A naturalized citizen of India can never be deprived of his citizenship.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 only
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Answer: (d) 1 only
UPSC 2004 · Q34 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

With reference to the Constitution of India, which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

(a) Forests : Concurrent List
(b) Stock Exchanges : Concurrent List
(c) Post Office Savings Bank : Union List
(d) Public Health : State List
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Answer: (b) Stock Exchanges : Concurrent List
UPSC 2004 · Q59 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India says that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union?

(a) Article 257
(b) Article 258
(c) Article 355
(d) Article 356
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Answer: (a) Article 257
UPSC 2004 · Q123 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Consider the following events:

  1. Fourth general elections in India
  2. Formation of Haryana State
  3. Mysore named as Karnataka State
  4. Meghalaya and Tripura become full States

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above?

(a) 2 ‑ 1 ‑ 4 ‑ 3
(b) 4 ‑ 3 ‑ 2 ‑ 1
(c) 2 ‑ 3 ‑ 4 ‑ 1
(d) 4 ‑ 1 ‑ 2 ‑ 3
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Answer: (a) 2 ‑ 1 ‑ 4 ‑ 3
UPSC 2000 · Q47 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which one of the following statements is incorrect?

(a) Goa attained full statehood in 1987
(b) Diu is an island in the Gulf of Khambhat
(c) Daman and Diu were separated from Goa by the 56th Amendment of the Constitution of India
(d) Dadra and Nagar Haveli were under French colonial rule till 1954
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Answer: (d) Dadra and Nagar Haveli were under French colonial rule till 1954
UPSC 1995 · Q13 · Indian Polity › Federalism & Centre–State Relations · Save

Which of the following is/are extra-constitutional and extra-legal device(s) for securing cooperation and coordination between the States in India? I. The National Development Council II. The Governors’ Conference III. Zonal Councils IV. The Interstate Council

Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a) I, II and III
(b) I, III and IV
(c) III and IV
(d) IV only
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Answer: (a) I, II and III